What Is the One Shepherd and One Flock That Jesus Talks About in John 10:16?
- Edward D. Andrews
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Good Shepherd Discourse and Its Immediate Audience
John 10 is spoken in a context of conflict with Israel’s religious leaders, especially after Jesus healed the man born blind and exposed the leaders’ spiritual blindness (John 9). Jesus presents Himself as “the good shepherd” who knows His sheep, calls them by name, and lays down His life for them (John 10:11–15). This is not sentimental imagery; it is covenant language. Israel’s leaders had failed as shepherds, and Jesus identifies Himself as the faithful Shepherd who truly protects, feeds, and leads God’s people.
In John 10:16, Jesus declares, “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” The statement looks beyond the immediate circle of Jewish disciples to a wider gathering that Jesus Himself will accomplish. The unity is not institutional politics; it is spiritual unity under Christ’s voice and leadership.
“This Fold” and “Other Sheep” in Historical-Grammatical Context
The word “fold” refers to a sheep enclosure, and Jesus uses it as a figure connected to the covenant setting in which He is speaking. “This fold” points to the covenant community from which the Messiah comes, Israel, where the promises, the prophets, and the Messiah’s earthly ministry began (Romans 9:4–5). Yet Jesus announces that His saving work will not remain limited to ethnic Israel. He will bring “other sheep” who are not from that fold, and they too will become responsive to His voice.
The New Testament identifies this expansion plainly as the inclusion of Gentiles into the people of God through faith in Christ. Peter’s preaching to Cornelius marks a decisive turning point where Jehovah shows that the good news is for the nations, and Gentiles receive the message and respond in faith (Acts 10:34–48). Paul then explains the theological meaning: Gentiles who were formerly “far off” are brought near, and Christ makes both groups one, breaking down the wall of hostility (Ephesians 2:11–22). John 10:16 harmonizes with this: one Shepherd gathers one flock made up of all who truly listen to Him.
One Flock Under One Shepherd and the Nature of Christian Unity
Jesus’ final phrase is emphatic: “one flock, one shepherd.” The unity is centered on the Shepherd, not on ethnicity, status, or human tradition. Those who belong to Christ share the same means of salvation, the same ransom-sacrifice, and the same fundamental identity as disciples. Jesus does not teach a divided Christianity where different groups follow different voices. He teaches a single people who recognize His voice through the Word and follow Him in obedience (John 10:27).
This unity also guards against the idea that membership is self-defined. Sheep do not appoint themselves; they are called and gathered by the Shepherd. Jesus says, “They will listen to my voice,” which means responsiveness to His teaching, not mere admiration. In John’s Gospel, listening is active faith that yields obedience (John 8:31–32). Therefore, “one flock” is not a claim that all religious paths converge. It is Christ’s declaration that all His true disciples, regardless of background, are gathered into one community under His authority.
The Shepherd’s Mission, His Sacrifice, and His Ongoing Care
John 10:16 stands on the foundation of John 10:11: “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” The flock exists because the Shepherd purchases it by His sacrifice. This directly connects with the apostolic preaching that Christ “died for our sins” and that forgiveness rests on His blood (1 Corinthians 15:3; Ephesians 1:7). Jesus also says He has authority to lay down His life and take it up again (John 10:17–18). His resurrection vindicates His identity and confirms that He truly shepherds His people with living authority.
His shepherding continues through His teaching preserved in Scripture and through the congregation’s faithful adherence to that teaching. Christians do not need hidden mystical guidance; they recognize His voice in the Spirit-inspired Word (2 Timothy 3:16–17). As believers submit to that Word, the flock’s unity becomes visible in shared doctrine, shared moral standards, and shared mission to proclaim the good news. That is how the one Shepherd keeps the one flock together in a wicked world.
About the Author
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
Comments